Keep the Law of Tithing

One of the blessings of membership in the Church is the opportunity to help advance the work and growth of the Church by paying tithing.  This Church uses this sacred tithing money to maintain and build temples and meetinghouses, provide educational opportunities, and spread the gospel through missionary work (excluding personal expenses).  Since all local clergy are lay members who voluntarily serve, they do not receive pay for their work and time.

Tithing not only blesses the church in general, but also blesses the individual.  Paying tithing acknowledges our gratitude for the many blessings the Lord has given us and is an act of faith.  We believe, as Malachi said, that the Lord will "open [to us] the windows of heaven, and pour [us] out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10)

A tithe denotes a tenth.  Faithful members pay a tenth of their income as tithing to the church.  As we honestly pay a full tithe, we learn lessons and receive blessings that are both physical and spiritual.  Temporally we may be blessed with prosperity, whether financial or otherwise. (see Malachi 3:11-12)  We may find the need of greater fiscal responsibility and planning and receive the inherent blessings of applying each.  More importantly we grow spiritually from our experiences.  We gain greater faith in the Lord.  We learn to trust His timing and judgement.  We come to know that He does know and is aware of our circumstances and needs.  We receive strength to bear up our burdens.  In the case of financial stress and turmoil, this may be the strength to continue in our circumstances and make due with what we have.  In essence, we learn patience and courage.  We also learn humility, gratitude, selflessness and charity as we give from what we have.